The Guardian Gazette: July 2019 Newsletter

Summer is in full swing here in the Pacific Northwest and I for one am loving this warm, sunny weather! Don’t get me wrong, rain is good when you’re a roofer and I’m always grateful when the fall comes around because that means there’s work to be done and roofs to repair. But I sure do love the smell of a charcoal barbecue and the taste of a freshly cut watermelon- two sure signs of summer.
Summertime seems to go by so quickly! Before you know it you’ll be picking out pumpkins, raking up leaves, and trying to fix a leak in your roof that’s been there since last spring. Don’t wait till the Autumn months to address your roof problems! Call Guardian today so you can get back to enjoying your summer! Declare independence from roof issues and take advantage of our Roof Done – Summer Fun Event, starting now and extending to July 31st!

 

Take Advantage of Guardian’s Roof Done, Summer Fun Event today!

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This month’s featured review:

“Jason was OUTSTANDING! He clearly enjoys helping people! He’s friendly and pays special attention to the fine details. Jason enjoys working at Guardian, sharing many positive good words about his company and the people he works with and for. We highly recommend Jason”.

 

We are so grateful for our customer reviews. A kind review is one of the greatest gifts the Guardian team can receive from a client. Each month we reward three clients for their positive accolades.

This month, we are rewarding Janet B, Diane K, and Matt C. Be on the lookout for a pair of Movie Theater E-tickets to arrive in your email inbox soon!

 

Top 10 Summer Home Safety Tips
By Louie Delaware

Now that the warmer months are here, it is appropriate to start to think of safety outside of your home. It’s natural for young children to want to explore their outside environment. Although there are far too……..[click below to read full article]

Read the Full Article

 

Meet the Team!

Meet Joe Gonzalez!

Joe has been with Guardian for 9 years and started off as a entry level Roofing Technician. Joe quickly rose through the ranks due to his hard work and skill and today he is one of our most sought after On Demand Repair Technicians!

When he’s not taking care of our clients Joe likes to spend his time with his wife Robin and their two children, Alexis and Roman. And if he’s not with his family or on a roof, you’ll most likely find him salmon fishing! (Ssshhh…don’t tell Robin).

 

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Guardian Goofies:

Raise the roof with a little humor to brighten your day from Guardian Roofing.

 

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The Guardian Gazette: June 2019 Newsletter

It seems summer is in full swing here in the Pacific Northwest! Warm summer evenings are best spent with friends and family in the backyard, sipping on lemonade and waiting for those burgers to finally come off the grill. On weekends, there is nothing better than a scenic hike with views of snow-capped mountains or a spot on the water where you can hear the splashing and laughter of those around you. Summer is the time to get to know your neighbors, go on that vacation, or make those plans that you couldn’t during the fall, winter, and spring. Don’t let worrisome roof troubles spoil your summer fun! Call Guardian today and we’ll take care of your roof so you can enjoy living in the most beautiful place during the most beautiful season.

 

 

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A look back on National Roofing Week

June 2nd – 8th was National Roofing week, where we took the time to celebrate our team, our clients, and our accomplishments. We feel incredibly blessed to be able to do what we love (roofing) while serving you (our awesome clients). Thank you for supporting us in 2019! We look forward to serving you for many years to come!

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Home Fire Safety And Prevention – Part 1

Like any homeowner, business owner or renter, you want a safe, comfortable home for our families and pets. You take steps to ensure that our HVAC systems are properly maintained, the landscaping is watered and trimmed, and the drinking water is clean. But, before you take all of those precautions, you need to take the first important steps of fire prevention. Home fires can be so devastating because our lives are contained in the memories and mementos you have accumulated in our homes.

To take the right precautions, you need to understand a little about how fires behave. Fires start quickly and can spread even faster. In just a few seconds, a small spark can become a major fire. Once the fire starts, you have the added dangers of smoke and heat. Heat is more life threatening than the actual flames. Temperatures in a fire can range from 100 degrees at floor level to 600 degrees at eye level. Inhaling this super-hot air will sear your lungs and melt clothes to your skin. Once the smoke accumulates in the home, it’s very difficult to see. In addition  the smoke itself is highly toxic and causes disorientation and dizziness. Smoke incapacitates people quickly leading to more deaths than the heat and flames.

Before a fire begins, you and your family need to be able to escape your home in less than 2 minutes. The first step is to create an escape plan, just like the ones you see in hotel rooms. Create a map of your home and draw the fastest escape routes from each room along with a secondary route, in case the first one is blocked. For example, most people have at least one exterior door for a primary exit route. A secondary route might be a window onto a neighboring roof or a collapsible ladder for escape from upper story windows. Make sure your doors and windows are properly maintained and can be opened easily. Establish a meeting place outside your home to ensure everyone, including pets, are out of the home.

After you explain your map and routes to your family, you need to practice with a series of fire drills. You need to escape in under 2 minutes. And, you also have to plan for difficulties. Practice feeling your way out of the house in the dark or with your eyes closed. Practice opening windows and removing screens. Twice each year, practice your home fire escape plan.  Weather conditions may also impede your escape route, like icy roofs or swelling doors that make escape more difficult. These difficulties need to be included in your plan. Also, teach children not to hide from firefighters.

During a fire drill, practice as if there is an actual fire. Practice crawling low under any smoke to your exit. Heavier, hotter smoke and poisonous gases collect first along the ceiling. Before opening a door, feel the doorknob and door. If either is hot, or if there is smoke coming around the door, leave the door closed and use your secondary escape route. If you do open a door, open it slowly. Prepare to close it quickly if heavy smoke or fire is present.  If you can’t get out, cover HVAC vents and cover the cracks around doors with cloth, wet towel or tape to keep smoke out. Say where you are and signal for help at the window with a light-colored cloth or a flashlight.

Fire Escape Planning for Older Adults and People with Access or Functional Needs:

• Live near an easily accessible exit. The safest space is on the ground floor near an exterior door if you live in an apartment building or multi-story home.
• If you use a walker or wheelchair, verify that you can exit easily and quickly. Make sure any necessary accommodations are installed, like exit ramps and widening doorways
• Speak to your family members, building manager, or neighbors about your fire safety plan and practice it with them.
• Contact your local fire department’s non-emergency line and explain your special needs and ask them to keep your special needs information on file.
• Keep a phone near your bed and in your pocket and be ready to call 911.

During an actual fire, call 9-1-1 immediately. If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop, and roll.  Stop immediately, drop to the ground, and cover your face with your hands. Then, roll over and over or back and forth until the fire is out.  You can also smother the flames with a blanket or towel. Use cool water to treat the burn immediately for 3 to 5 minutes. Cover with a clean, dry cloth.  Get medical help right away. If you can’t get to someone needing assistance, leave the home and call 9-1-1 or the fire department. Tell the emergency operator where the person is located. If pets are trapped inside your home, tell firefighters right away.

Smoke Alarms

Your first line of defense is a properly working smoke alarm. Smoke alarms significantly increases your chances of escaping home fire. You need to insure your home has both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms, or dual sensor smoke alarms, which contain both ionization and photoelectric smoke sensors. You need to test the alarms once a month and replace the batteries once a year. Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home, in the garage and basement and both inside and outside of sleeping areas. You will also need to replace smoke alarms every 8 to 10 years. Never disable a smoke alarm while cooking, since cooking fires occur with little warning. Smoke alarms are also designed for people with special safety concerns. For the hearing and vision impared, strobe lights, vibrating pads, and intermittent audible alarms can be installed.  Smoke alarms with a strobe light outside the home to catch the attention of neighbors and emergency call systems for summoning help are also available.

Additional Fire Safety Tips:

• Make digital copies of valuable documents and records like birth certificates. Photograph any valuable items, such as electronics, jewelry, or computers, for your insurance company and keep any documentation about them in a secure place.
• Sleep with your door closed.
• Get up to date information on the proper use and maintenance of fire extinguishers. Make sure you have a working fire extinguisher near your stove and fireplace.
• Consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your residence.

Home Fire Prevention

Most home fires are preventable! Here are simple steps that you can take to prevent a fire:

Cooking

• Do not leave your stove unattended. If you must leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• Wear short, close-fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking.
• Keep children away from cooking areas by enforcing a “kid-free zone” of 3 feet around the stove.
• Position barbecue grills at least 10 feet away from siding and deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.

Smoking

• Smoke outside away from the house. Completely extinguish butts in an ashtray or a can filled with sand.
• Soak cigarette butts and ashes in water before throwing them away. Never toss hot cigarette butts or ashes in the trash can.
• Never smoke in a home where oxygen is used, even if it is turned off. Oxygen can be explosive and makes fire burn hotter and faster.
• Be alert. If you are tired, have been drinking, or have taken medication that makes you drowsy, don’t smoke – especially in bed.

Electrical and Appliance Safety

• Make sure your appliances are properly maintained. Damaged wires can cause fires. Replace all worn, old or damaged electrical cords immediately.
• Do not run cords under rugs or furniture.
• If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-slot outlet. Never force it to fit into a two-slot outlet or extension cord.
• Immediately shut off and professionally replace light switches that are not working, are hot to the touch or lights that flicker.
• Portable generators should NEVER be used indoors and should only be refueled outdoors or in well ventilated areas.

Portable Space Heaters

If you must use portable space heaters, keep flammable materials at least three feet away from the heater.

• Only heaters evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) should be used.
• Portable heaters must have a thermostat control and an emergency switch that will automatically turn the heater off if the heater falls over.
• Only use crystal clear K-1 kerosene in kerosene heaters. Never overfill it. Only use the heater in a well-ventilated location.

Fireplaces And Wood Stoves

• Inspect and clean woodstove pipes and chimneys at least one a year and check monthly for damage or obstructions.
• Use a heavy fireplace screen to prevent logs from rolling out of the fireplace. It should also completely cover the opening of the fireplace to catch flying sparks.
• Make sure the fire is completely out before leaving the house or going to bed.

Children

• Teach children that fire is a tool, not a toy.
• Store matches and lighters out of reach and sight, preferably in high or locked cabinet.
• Never leave children unattended near hot stoves and ovens or burning candles and fireplaces even for a brief moment.

In the event of a fire, remember that every second counts, so everyone must be prepared. Escape plans help you get out of your home quickly. Fire prevention can make your home safer so fires won’t happen.

When your home is ready for a new roof, repairs, or maintenance, you need a reliable, dependable roof repair company. You count on you roofing contractor to keep your home safe and dry. Guardian Roofing is committed to providing top-quality service, professionalism and workmanship.

If you are looking for a roof repair contractor please call us today at 844-499-7822 or complete our online service request form.

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The Guardian Gazette: May 2019 Newsletter

Giving back has always, always been important to me and to our team here at Guardian. We try everyday to deliver the best possible service and to give back to those less fortunate when we can. This is why in November of 2018 we launched the Guardian Halo Project, where we promised to give one homeowner in need a major roof repair or replacement. Those who visited the Halo Project page were able to nominate not only themselves, but others who they believed were truly in need. We could never have anticipated the tidal wave of nominations that would come in from people nominating others less fortunate. One couple is particular received an avalanche of nominations from her local community and when we read through each one, we know we had found our Halo Project Winner- Mrs. Cindy Lu Vaughn of Federal Way.

Beloved grandma of the neighborhood and loving wife to Grandpa Pat, Cindy Lu’s doors (much like her heart) are always open to her community. The Vaughn’s home, while filled with warmth and good cheer, was in bad shape due to the deterioration of their roof and a large portion had been covered by a tarp for the better part of 2 years. In addition to the poor condition of their roof, the couple has been battling serious health issues which leaves little time or money for home repair. Thanks to glowing nominations from their community, Guardian excitedly took on the Vaughn’s and their roof project. Our team jumped at the chance to volunteer their time and skill in helping on this project and this past Monday demolition began. Over the course of the week our guys have been removing the old shingles and dry rot, repairing trusses, and installing new sheeting. This Saturday while the final shingles were being installed the Guardian Team gathered with the Vaughn’s and their community to celebrate their new roof and our new friends. I am so grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community; it is because of loyal clients like you that we are able to make a positive difference. From all of us here at Guardian and on behalf of the Guardian Halo Project, thank you for your continued support.

Best,
Lori Swanson

If you’d like to learn more about the Vaughns and the Halo Project check out Sound Publishing’s recent article, Guardians give ‘neighborhood grandparents’ new roof.

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Guardian Roofing Look at Flat Roofs – Part 2

How to hire a quality contractor for your Flat Roof and what questions are important?

Hiring the right contractor for your flat roof is a very important choice; but, how do you know which company is right.  There is several questions that you can ask contractors to help single out the right contractor for you. The list below are questions that any qualified contractor, that works on flat roofs, should have answer.

Standing Water on Flat Roof

1. Does your roof ever have a problem with standing water?
   Standing water on your roof, is very important as not all materials are created equally. Only one product gives you guarantees for standing water; while others have a clause that standing water will void the warranty. A contractor who cannot address this question can leave the homeowner vulnerable or unprotected.
2. How will the contractor address condensation with your flat roof?
   A standard answer people hear about condensation is “they will install ventilation”.  While this is a okay answer it is very vague. Condensation on a flat roof has a lot of components and factors to look at (insulation, type of flat roof being installed, type of ventilation being installed, underlayment, etc.) and a quality contractor will do an assessment and plan for all aspects.
3. How are they checking for multiple layers and are disposal fees included?
   A lot of companies will either add disposal fees on after the contract or will only quote for one layer. If you have an older home the chances you have multiple layers are pretty good. This will leave you with unexpected, and very expensive charges.
4. What kind of gutters do you have?
   It is common to find internal gutters and “Built In” Gutters on flat roofs. Both gutters can are very prone to leaking. If your contractor has not assessed what condition your gutters are in, they may be leaving you at risk for continued problems. These problems can be very expensive to fix so make sure they can identify what kind of gutter you have and has a plan to address them.
5. Does your contractor do repairs, maintenance in addition to replacement?
   Having a contractor that only does replacement on flat roofs, or any roof for that matter, can show their inexperience with underlying problems and how to address them.  Completing repair work a contractor must become very knowledgeable with all components that can impact a flat roof. This is a great piece of mind that your contractor will be able to become a “partner” with you regarding your roof’s health for years to come!

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Guardian Roofing Look at Flat Roofs – Part 1 Common Errors:

Flat roofs are popular roofing style for many designs of homes. They can provide extra living spaces or add unique designs to contemporary homes. Flat roofs can be completed with a number of different materials as well. From your “hot mop” flat roofs to “TPO”, flat roofs are just like all other roofs and require maintenance, repairs, and replacement as they age. This article will go over 3 common issues that can be found on flat roofs.

Improper Venting:

Picture shows organic growth under a sheet of plywood in a improperly vented flat roof

One of primary purposes of the ventilation of for all roofs is to help dry out attic space from condensation that gets trapped in the attic from conditions inside and outside the home. Failure to adequately ventilate can lead to:

• Organic growth (also known as mold!)
• Expensive repairs to the substrate
• Damage to the insulation
• Damage to the drywall inside the home

These issues can be very hard to identify in a flat roof since typically there is no attic spaces to crawl inside.  To compound this a lot of places don’t work on flat roofs regularly so when problems occur they are ill equipped with diagnosing the problem.

Improper Flashing Detail:

Damage to a flat roof due to failed flashings

Damage of failed flashing inside the flat roofing cavity

Flashings are the most important, and most overlooked part of any roofing system. They are the components that divert the water away from the openings in your roof that are prone to leaking. In flat roof installs, where sitting water can be normal flashing play a pivotal part in keeping your home dry. Improper flashed areas of a flat roof can cause damage not just to the roof but the entire home.

Loose Seams:

Picture shows what a loose seam can look like on TPO Flat Roof

Most flat roofs are installed by creating seams of roofing materials that when done correctly prevents sitting water from getting between the layers of roofing material. When this processed is rushed, not properly measured and lined up, it creates areas that will fail. These areas become easy areas for water to gain access into your roofing system.

These three common mistakes can be avoided by hiring a certified contractor. On part two of our segment on flat roofs, we will go over what questions to ask and what to look for when considering a flat roof.

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Spring Cleaning Time Is Here

A Dozen Little Things To Prepares for Spring

Now that the weather is getting warmer and dryer, it’s time to put away the winter things and get ready for spring. You’ll need to check the outside of your home for winter damage and take care of the small repairs before they get worse. Here’s a short list of the first tasks we need to accomplish.

Clean Rain Gutters And Downspouts

Wind, animals, and gravity can stuff your gutters full of bring sticks, leaves, and other organic matter over the winter. That accumulation in the gutters will prevent proper water flow and will clog the downspouts. Rainwater can spill out of your gutters and around the perimeter of your house, putting it at risk for leaks and flooding. Even worse, the water can seep under the roofing materials and cause extensive water damage, property damage, and mold growth. Get ready for spring showers by removing the debris from your gutters to ensure that the water will flow freely away from your home.

Replace Your Filters

To maintain optimal air quality in your home, you need to replace your HVAC system’s air filter regularly.  Manufacturers recommend replacing the filter every 3 or 4 months, but HVAC professionals will tell you to replace the more often. Scheduling a replacement in early spring will remove all the fireplace ash and dust that has been trapped in your home over the winter.   Bur, spring is a good time to replace or clean the filter in your kitchen range hood,.too. While you’re at it, now is a good time to change the filters in your water purification system, if necessary. You might not need to maintain your water purification system very often, but regular maintenance checks are always a good idea.

Check Vents

As snow melts away from your home’s foundation, it’s time to check any vents along the foundation or in the attic. A visual inspection for missing or damaged screens, debris, signs of insect or rodent infestation, or other issues is important. Issues need to be corrected before they have a chance to become bigger problems later in the season. Inspecting the inside HVAC vents for dust accumulation and signs of insects or rodents is a good idea, too, Then, you can ask your HVAC professional to address the problem during your spring HVAC inspection.

Service the Lawn Mower If You Have One

Most homeowners think lawn mowers need little or no maintenance. But, they have been sitting unused for months. Your lawn mower needs to be prepared for the season with a tune-up. If you didn’t do it in the fall, you should drain and replace oil, sharpen the blades, remove caked-on grass and mud, and lubricate moving parts. A test run will ensure further repairs aren’t necessary.

Prepare the Grill

After a long winter spent indoors, you’re probably waiting for a sunny day to fire up the grill. Get your outdoor cooking station ready by scraping away any rust spots that developed over the winter, cleaning the grill inside and out, and removing and accumulated debris. You will also need to inspect your grill for any damaged parts and replace them. If you have a gas grill, you need to carefully inspect the fuel tank and hose for damage.

Clean And Repair Backyard Furniture

As the weather warms up, outdoor entertaining may be just around the corner. But, injured guests are not happy guests. Prepare your chairs, tables and loungers by thoroughly hosing them down, wiping away cobwebs and dirt, and bringing outdoor chair cushions out of winter storage. Replace any missing or damaged parts as soon as possible.

Pamper the Lawn

Once the danger of frost has passed and your grass starts to come out of winter dormancy, it’s time to give your landscaping the spring lawn-care spa treatment. Address winter damage to your turf by seeding bare patches. Avoid spring applications of chemical weed or crabgrass treatments, which can harm new grass. For cool-season grasses, spread a light application of fertilizer in early spring. For warmer season grasses, fertilization can wait until late spring or early summer. Get a head start on weed prevention by manually removing weeds before they have a chance to multiply. In addition to manually weeding the grass, your flower beds need your full attention, too. Removing dead growth and weeds can prevent damage to your home and removes nesting material for rodents and insects.

Groom Trees And Shrubs

Winter storms can be hard on your landscaping leaving broken tree limbs, ragged shrubs, and a garden full of organic debris behind. Get your yard ready for spring by removing broken or damaged branches, pruning summer-blooming trees and shrubs, like butterfly bush and crepe myrtle, and raking up fallen leaves.

Plant Bulbs and Flowers

Spring is the ideal time to plant summer-blooming flowers. Creating a colorful welcoming landscape can really make the most of your outdoor time. Beautiful flowers, like dahlias and gladioli, should be planted as soon as the danger of frost has passed.

Clean And Repair Windows

Winter snows and rain leave your windows streaked and dirty. Winter weather can also damage sills and weatherstripping and create entry points for drafts and insects. Improve your view of your spring blooms and let more sun into the house by cleaning windows and replacing weather stripping.

Test Alarms

While your preparing for spring, test all your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are working properly. Change the batteries, too. It’s easier to get on a ladder once a year than drag out the ladder when your alarm needs batteries. Use those batteries in devices that are easier to access, like TV remotes.  Alarms can malfunction as they age. If your alarms are older than seven years, replacing them now is a good idea.

Check the Roof

Take some time to check your roof for cracked or missing shingles or tiles from the ground. Also examine flashing around vents and the chimney for damage. Now is the time to schedule your annual roof inspection, especially if you see and damage.  Have the chimney cleaned and inspected by a professional if you have used your fireplace over the winter.

It’s been a long, cold winter. Taking care of these projects over a weekend can make your spring even better.

When your home is ready for a new roof, repairs, or maintenance, you need a reliable, dependable roof repair company. You count on you roofing contractor to keep your home safe and dry. Guardian Roofing is committed to providing top-quality service, professionalism and workmanship.

If you are looking for a roof repair contractor please call us today at 844-499-7822 or complete our online service request form.

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